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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Sl]elf>.J..6.!? 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



FLY FISHING 



Trout and Bass 



CHARLES F, JOHNSON, 



Pocket Edition 



06^^y 



t- 






i 



COPYRIGHT 1893, BY CHARLES F JOHNSON. 



PRESS OF 
L. CAMPFIELD, 
CHICAGO. 



'J\)e )o\)[)^OT) piy BooH 



Contains one dozen ])ass flies, (six varieties 
on No . 1 hooks. One dozen assorted large 
trout flies on hooks No. 5. Twelve as- 
sorted medium trout flies on No. 7 hooks; 
and one dozen small trout flies on No. 11 
hooks . 

Individual caprice and experiment have 
produced so many combinations that 
the well informed angler scarcely knows 
what flies to select in the stores. It 
is believed that this collection embraces the 
necessary varieties, thereby simplyfying, so 
far as selection of flies is concerned, the art 
of fly fishing. The choice and adoption 
of these flies is the outcome of long 
study and experience in angling for Trout 
and Salmon on England's beautiful rivers, 
as well as for trout and bass in the delight- 
ful waters of our own country. 



% 



Xrodt F'sl?i9?. 



During the day, the large trout lurk in 
the deeper waters above or below a shallow, 
secreting themselves in holes, by stones, 
under logs and projecting banks, in irregu- 
larities of the bottom or sides of the stream; 
ever closely watching for indications of food 
or danger. They seldom venture upon the 
shallows, except in extremely hot weather, 
when a sudden rise in the water occurs, 
and also as evening approaches. Then they 
become extremely bold and scour the shal- 
lows for small fry, making havoc among 
the affrighted fish life, as they rush here 
and there. 



6 

Deep pool fishing for large trout during 
the day, is apt to prove discouraging, unless 
there is a surface ripple or slightly discol- 
ored water. Either of these desirable con- 
ditions aid the angler in concealing himself 
and tackle. 

Large trout usually take the fly under the 
surface, often following the fly some dis- 
tance before seizing it. They seldom take 
the fly with that abandon and splash which 
characterizes smaller trout; hence, the fly 
should exhibit its most seductive flutterings 
as long as possible. It should not be jerked 
quickly and unceremoniously through the 
water. 

One large trout is worth many smaller. 
Work for the prize and disdain counting on 
numbers. 

As you approach a good "holding ground'' 
and while yet hidden from view of any 
expected trout, quietly watch the water for 
a few moments before casting. Study the 
situation — perhaps a large trout is observed 
rising at a certain point — stealthily occupy 
the most favorable position for casting; if 
necessary, crawl on hands and knees — any 
way to remain unseen — avoid all quick 



motions in sight of the pool — aim to iden- 
tify your appearance with that of the sur- 
roundings. Hold before you, if there is no 
cover, cut willows or bunches of grass. 

Small and medium sized trout frequent 
the shallows, usually near the middle ot the 
stream, and are found under cover of weed 
beds, skirting the channels with rapid 
currents. 

A warm day with light clouds and suffi 
cient south, southwest, or west wind to 
ripple the water slightly, is the best 
weather for trout fishing. High water 
when not discolored, is favorable. 

When low water has been continued, 
search the banks of the stream to discover 
any springs which How into it. If there is 
any depth of water at such places, you are 
almost sure to find fish. Extremely low 
water is unfavorable. 

During the heat of the day, insects, frogs, 
and small fry are inactive. During a warm 
cloudy day or as evening approaches, in- 
sects and other food become more active. 
At such times, trout feed with great 
freedom. 

The most killing method of fishing the 



8 

still, deep, shady pools especially when trout 
appear disinclined to feed, is to fish up 
stream, using a small fly. Make several 
casts, not permitting the fly to touch the 
water. This casting will dry the flies. 
Each successive cast should carry the fly 
nearer the desired spot. When the fly 
reaches this position allow it to fall lightly 
upon the surface. Elevate the tip of the 
rod enough to keep the line taut, but not 
to impart motion to the fly. Let the cur- 
rent bear the fly toward you. As it thus 
sails upon the surface, the largest and 
most apathetic trout in the pool seldom 
refuses it. Should no trout take it, and 
the fly become saturated and sink beneath 
the surface, withdraw it from the water 
and repeat the preliminary casting as abt)ve 
described. This is technically termed "Dry 
Fly fishing" and is the most killing method 
of taking trout. The "dry fly" floating on 
the surface of the water is the nearest copy 
of nature attainable. Observe how closely 
dry fly fishing imitates the conduct of a 
natural insect wafted from some neighbor- 
ing bush into the water and fioating on its 
surface. 

Use sad colored fiies in low, clear water, 
and in high water just as it is clearing 



i) 

after a protracted rise. In small streams 
where quick, short rises are of frequent 
occurences, the medium sized trout fly is 
preferable when the freshet is subsiding. 
In such streams trout do not have time 
enough to surfeit themselves upon food 
abundant during a flood. After a protract- 
ed state of high and discolored water, trout 
becomes surfeited, and will rarely rise to 
anything but a small fly. 

Study the stream — its rapids, pools, ed- 
dies and falls. Note the stumps, logs and 
stones, and all obstructions. Determine by 
careful observation, the spot which appears 
most likely to harbor a large trout — then 
make your cast. In fishing in a rapid cur- 
rent, cast the fly across and up stream. 
Do not cast directly across the stream — the 
line so cast cuts the water roughly, alarm- 
ing the fish. Make every movement by the 
water stealthily. Every action in fly cast- 
ing can be made in a deliberate manner, 
with but slight motion of the body and fore 
arm — let the wrist alone do the work. 
Trout, like deer, are easily frightened by a 
quick motion. 

Fish lay head up stream and have keen 
sight. In all cases where practicable, fish 



10 

up stream— that is, throw your fly against 
the current. 

Remember the mere act of dragging a • 
mass of saturated feather and hacklo 
through the water, in a "chuck and chance 
it" style, is not fishing. By means of the 
wrist, impart a life-like flutter to the fly. 
Humor it— let the hackle and wings open 
and close with that tremulous, quivering 
motion, which is attractive and irresistible 
to the large fish. 

Note carefully the immediate surround- 
ings where you catch fish; thus learn how 
to recognize those unmistakable signs of 
nature, which indicate to the angler, where 
trout hide. 

Their sense of hearing also is acute, when 
the sound is accompanied by motion which 
transmits vibration to the water in their 
vicinity. Hence tread lightly and avoid 
any action that will convey a jarring or 
grating sound to the water. Extreme cau- 
tion and skillful casting is necessary when 
fishing still, deep water. The novice will 
have better success in broken water. 

Do not over estimate the value of long 



11 

distance casting. Thirty-five feet of line 
thrown delicately and accurately is suffi- 
cient for all ordinary fishing. 

The Large Trout Flies. 
Large trout flies may be used with success 
in broken water, in turbid or high water, 
and on dark days in well fished streams. 
In streams seldom fished large flies may be 
used more generally. 

In well fished streams -dry fly" flshing, 
as before described, is the most killing 
method. In this style of fishing, the con- 
duct of the natural insect is imitated and 
the trout, when taking the artificial dry fly. 
regards it as a natural insect. It seems, 
however, that the larger trout fly is usually 
taken beneath the surface and on the sup- 
position that it is one of the many different 
small fry on which trout feed . 

It is nut necessary for large trout flies to 
resemble the natural insect; they may be 
nondescript in appearance, size and color 
determining their value. 

The large trout flies are the Johnson 
Fancy, Brown Palmer, Edgar Allen Poe' 
the Abercrombie. Apparition and Red pal- 
mer. 



12 

The Johnson Fancy. 



' 



The Johnson Fancy, body of gold tinsel, 
wing from eye of peacock feather with 
golden hackle and topping of scarlet, tail of 
scarlet. 

The Johnson fancy is an excellent fly 
for large trout at all times. In pool fish- 
ing it should be sunk deeply and drawn 
through the water very slowly. For the 
northern streams and around Lake Superior 
it is the most killing fly that can be used. 

Red Palmer. 

Body of bright scarlet wool, ribbed with 
gold tinsel, and palmered with reddish 
brown hackle. 

The Red Palmer is always seasonable, it 
is best on windy days. The Red Palmer as 
dropper and the Johnson Fancy as stretcher, 
is the best combination with which to 
test strange waters. 

Brown Palmer. 

Body of dark red wool, palmered with a 
brown hackle. A good fly for chilly windy 
days; when the water is clearing after a 
freshet; and also for midday fishing late 
in the season. 



13 

Edgar Allen Poe. 

Body thin, of silver tinsel. Wings black* 
legs green hackle, tail black and green 
welded. 

When showy flies fail to tempt the fish, 
the Edgar Allen Poe often fills the angler's 
creel. 

The Abercrombie. 

Body thin, of gold tinsel. Wings golden 
brown, legs brown hackle. Tail, brown. 

Good for early morning fishing in hot 
weather, and pool fishing on chilly, windy 
days, with occasional gleams of sunshine. 

The Apparition. 

Body thin, of silver tinsel. Wings white, 
with topping of peacock hurl, legs, badger 
hackle, tail red. 

The Apparition is a standard fly for twi- 
light and late evening fishing and is good 
on dark days in discolored water. 

The Medium trout Flies. 

Smaller trout feed chiefly on insects. 
Flies used in their capture, should resemble 



14 

insects such as smaller trout feed upon. 
Color and outline of form, as viewed by the 
trout, are the essentials in such resemblance. 
It is desirable that such tiies should em- 
body certain of the general features com- 
mon to numerous family: for instance there 
are many kinds of coleoptera or beetle fam- 
ily, upon which trout feed. The coch-y- 
bundu hackle fly, when in the water, re- 
sembles the beetle family in general, and 
is recognized as a standard fly to use. 

Small cylindrical cases open at each end 
covered externally by bits of wood, shells, 
stones, and the like, containing the larvae of 
the Caddice fly may be found in summer 
in the bottom and sides of a stream. The 
larvae after partial developement leave the 
cocoon -like cases and ascend toward the 
water's surface. Upon ermerging from the 
water and while resting on its surface, they 
quickly mature. 

Trout feed eagerly upon these larvae and 
flies. The blue dun natural belongs to 
this class. It is a water fly, hatching from 
the bottom of the stream. Its primary 
color DUN is the prevailing color of many 
other flie«. Hence the blue dun artificial 
is a standard trout flv. 



15 

For twilight and late evening fishing, a 
white fly (the apparition) is most suitable, 
not only because white is then conspicious 
but is characteristic of many insects who 
venture abroad at twilight. 

The activity of the natural fly, when in 
the water is derived chiefly from the move- 
ment of its legs. In the artificial fly the 
hackle represents its legs, and are the 
means by W'hich activity and apparent 
life can be given to the fly. The body, 
wings and tail each aid in the deception, but 
it is to the eslastic quivering of the hackle 
imparted by the cunning of the angler that 
the artificial fly owes its deceptiveness. 

The medium size trout flies are the Blue 
Dun, Red SjMnner, the Api)arition, Coch-y- 
hundu. Johnson Fancy and Yellow Sally. 

The Blue Dun. 

Body of Dun and yellow colored hair 
mixed, legs, light reddish brown hackle and 
Dun Wings. 

A standard fly during the early part of 

the season; on cold windy days as the 

season advances, and for evening fishing 
during the warmer months. 



1(5 

The Red Spinner. 

Body, thin of golden brown silk, ribbed 
with gold, tail, fibers from a red hackle, 
dun wings, legs, red hackle. 

This is the best fly for use in currents, 
between weeds on shallows, during ex- 
tremely hot days with bright sunshine. 
The angler must not expect to catch large 
fish, but sport can then be had with the 
smaller trout with the Red Spinner, it is 
also good for early evening fishing late in 
the season. 

The Apparition. 

Body thin of silver tinsel, legs, badger 
hackle, wings white. The Apparition is 
the best fly for late evening fishing. 

The Coch-y-bundu Hackle. 

The body of peacock hurl, palmered with 
a dark furnace hackle. The Coch-y-bundu 
hackle kills best on close hot days. 

The Johnson Fancy. 
Body thin of gold tinsel, wings, eye from 



peacock feather with, golden hackle at sides 
and topping of red, tail red, legs green 
hackle. 

The Johnson Fancy is the best fly of all 
for general use. 

The Yellow Sally. 
Body, of yellow silk, legs, yellow hackle. 

This is a standard fly for twilight and 
evening fishing, and in low bright water. 
The Yellow Sally as a dropper with the Ap- 
parition as stretcher is a most killing com- 
bination for high clear water. 

Small trout Flies. 

The small trout flies are the Black Gnat, 
Blue Dun, June Dun, Apparition, Coch-y- 
bundu hackle and the Brown Palmer. 

Of these the Blue Dun, Black Gnat and 
Coch-y-bundu hackle are invaluable in low 
bright water. During hot days, the Orange 
Dun and Brown Palmer kill well in shady 
pools. 

The Apparition is good for evening fish- 
ing in extremely low, clear water. 



18 

These suggestions as to the use of thes(^ 
llies are not to be regarded as unbending 
rules, but rather as hints, derived from 
long and varied exjierience of the writer 
and others in Fly Fishing. It is well to 
begin fishing with a ca^t of tlies apparently 
the most appropriate, considering the 
hour of the day, the condition of the 
water, the size of the tish usually found in 
such waters, and any indications noticed of 
what tish are taking. 

Several changes may be necessary before 
discovering a killing Hy. The angler should 
invariably examine the contents of the 
stomach of the first trout caught. This ex- 
amination may suggest the best tly to use. 

There are days when no tly can be found, 
natural or artificial, which will tempt the 
fish: On such days even the much prai.sed 
farmer's boy with alder rod and angle 
worm, cannot entice the lazy trout from his 
den. When trout are feeding, the proper 
fiy properly cast will insure a catch. 

Fine gut snell and leaders are desirable. 
The finer the gut. the easier it is to catch 
but the more difficult it is to land a trout. 
The aim should be to acquire such skill in 



19 

landing, that the finest gut can be used. 
He who uses heavy rods or coarse tackle, 
depending chietl}' on their strength knows 
but little the joy of skillful angling. 



20 



1 



Bass F'sl?i99. 



Fly fishing for black bass cannot be said 
to have been hitherto a success. The angler 
who practiced it, did so for experiment 
and from an anticipatory point of view- 
rather than from any decided belief in its 
merits. 

A series of careful experiments pursued 
by us during the spring and fall of 1892, to- 
gether with the experience of seventeen 
years' previous, in fly fishing, established 
these points. The fly should be light 
enough to fall, w^hen cast upon the water, 



21 

delicately and without commotion. Other- 
wise, instead of enticing, it will scare the 
bass. Then the fly should be attractive in 
appearance and of colors that are alluring. 
Third, the fly should be bulky enough 
in form to promise a bass substantial re- 
ward for his effort in pursuing it. And 
lastly, the general appearance of the flies 
in the water should be such that bass will 
eagerly seize them under the impression 
they are species of the numerous small fry 
upon which bass habitually feed. 

The Bass Flies mentioned herein have been 
developed in these experiments, and after 
thorough testing, are pronounced the most 
killing flies made. If used in the line of 
the hints given, fly fishing for black 
bass will become a delightful success. The 
tinsel body formed by the hook's shanks 
without the usual body stuffing, renders 
the fly attractive without being cumber- 
some and heavy. The absence of the usual 
hackle permits these flies to be cast farther 
and with greater accuracy. To satisfy him- 
self on this, let the angler cast first a 
winged and hackled fly; then, after cutting 
away the hackle, cast the fly. The super- 
iority of the fly without hackle, for accurate 
long casts, is quickly perceived. Afly, eu- 



22 

cumbered with a mass of hackles standing 
out at right angle from the hook, offers 
much resistance to the atmosphere, without 
adding to the killing qualities. 

From the beginning, the principles in- 
volved in successfully applying the arti- 
ficial fly to the capture of bass, have been 
generally misunderstood. The ordinary 
fisherman treats the bass as though he 
were a small trout. Small trout are in- 
sectivorous. Bass seldom take the fly as do 
smaller trout. The bass is essentially pre- 
datory, largely carnivorous. Cray-fish, water 
snakes, minnows and small fry, crabs, frogF, 
mollusks, form his larder. The bass fly, 
ordinarily used, is simply the trout fly 
enlarged. And it has been presumed, that 
this enlarged fly must be used for bass, 
in the same manner as its small prototype, 
for trout. Hence, fly fishing for bass has 
been almost a failure, as every angler 
knows. Occasionally a bass would be taken, 
but the fact could not be concealed, that 
the trip for bass with a fly was not satis- 
factory. Yet the superior attraction of the 
fly rod has been such, that anglers have 
been extremely reluctant to give up the 
hope of ultimately making fly fishing for 
bass a success. At intervals an enthusias- 



tic fishermaii has taken up the subject and 
introduced a new fly, which sufficiently re- 
vived the interest, to keep the art of fly 
Ashing for bass from becoming obsolete. 

Bass are not insectivorous, hence do not 
habitually take their food at the surface like 
smaller trout. If analogy should be per- 
missible, we refer to that king of the 
water, the Salmon. The bass takes the 
fly at from six to nine inches beneath the 
surface of the water. Repeat your cast un- 
til you get the fly over the desired spot; 
then allow it to fall delicately upon the 
water. Let the fly sink tlie required depth. 
Then by elevating the tip of the rod, by a 
series of short hesitatory jerks bring the fly 
toward you. On feeling a slight resistance, 
strike smartly. The fly must light on the 
water without commotion and with the least 
possible ripple. While the fly is sinking, 
the bass has occasion to investigate it; by 
the time the motion of the rod is given to 
tlie fly, the bass is anxious to seize it and 
perhaps is caught, almost before the angler 
knows it. Small fish, you can catch in 
almost any bungling manner, but large fish 
must be kept in complete ignorance of 
yourself, rod and line; otherwise you will 
seldom catch them. 



24 

Small fry in disporting themselves, do so 
without excessive violence. A frog in tak- 
ing to the water, does so in a quiet, easy 
manner, marking his submersion with a 
light splash, devoid of any violent agitatory 
action. A small water snake, alarmed in 
the act of swimming upon the surface, 
disappears almost silently. Everything 
obeys the law of nature. So perfectly do 
bass recognize these laws, that any lure 
placed before him in a manner foreign to 
that which his instinct accepts, will be 
eyed with suspicion and left alone. 

Seat yourself by the pleasant river side 
and learn these lessons from nature. The 
study w^ll repay. Do not make fishing all 
mechanical work combing the river from 
dawn till dark. Investigate the wonderful 
watery world in which fish so strangely 
have their being. Learn therefrom reliable 
data which will assist you in their capture. 

In boat fishing, use the sculls as little as 
possible, Drift all you can, and sit down 
WHILE CASTING. In wadiug, avoid splash- 
ing the water or any violent, hasty move- 
ments; advance stealthily from one point 
to another. Should there be a slight de- 
posit of mud over a hard bottom, lift the 
feet carefully, straight up from the bottom. 



1 



25 

This will prevent the water in your vicinity 
from becoming muddy. 

Pish have a keen sight and are easily 
alarmed, hence let the angler seize every 
advantage of natural cover. The projecting 
corners of banks, sedge-beds, sudden turns 
in the stream, and the like, afford oppor- 
tunities of approaching unawares. 

Do not forget to sink the fly well. The 
deeper the fly is in the water, the deeper 
the bass will be when he seizes it. There- 
fore the less chance he has of seeing you 
and discovering the method of presentation. 
About nine inches is usually as deep as a 
Hy can sink and clear the bottom growth of 
weeds. Do not be too anxious to recover the 
fly from the water. Bring it towards you 
slowly, without undue haste, interposing 
its progress with slight, momentary pauses. 
Thus a not over-hungry fish is given a 
chance to seize it. Whereas, if pulled too 
quickly, a "short rise* will be the result. 

Now a few words as to those portions of 
a river in which to fish. Ignorance on this 
matter will render the best flies, and the 
utmost proficiency in casting them, of 
little avail. Each river has certain parts 
particularly adapted as holding grounds 
for bass, and other parts where bass are 



26 

seldom or never found. Waste no time in 
fishing those dark deeper portions of a river 
bordered with sedge and of muddy bottom. 
Fish places with hard, irregular and rocky 
bottoms, here and there dotted with a 
sufficient deposit of mud to encourage a 
straggling growth of that variety of water 
grass which seldom grows quite tall enough 
to appear above the surface. This is a 
desirable formation, being suflRciently dense 
to afford fish cover and secrecy, without 
seriously impeding their movements. 

Give particular attention to the shallows 
and ripples with their deeper channels and 
holes, both above and below. Fish such 
places carefully . Note any obstructions in 
the current caused by projecting logs, or 
rocks, and the like. In the eddies formed 
below these, bass are almost sure to be 
found . 

Successful fiy lishiug depends to no little 
extent (apart from the merits of the flies 
used), upon the ability to cast the fly with 
some degree of skill, in conformity with the 
hints given. There are some, who, owing 
to their deficiency in acquiring this skill, 
may at first fail to realize the full success" 
desired. To such, we, would sav: Endeavor 



to increase your proficiency in the use of 
the fiy rod. 

Bass Flies. 
The Johnson Fancy, Apparition, Magi- 
cian, Abercrombie, Edgar Allen Poe, and 
Polly Perkins. 

Johnson Fancy. 

The best fly of any for general use. 

The Apparition. 
For late evening fishing; on dark days, 
and for slightly discolored water. 

The Polly Perkins. 
A very useful dropper; with the Johnson 
Fancy as a stretcher in bright, but not low 
water. 

The Magician. 
This fly makes a killing combination with 
the Johnson Fancy for high and slightly 
discolored water. Use the Magician as a 
dropper. 

The Edgar Allen Poe. 
The best fly to use in bright low water 
during the day time. 

The Abercrombie. 
Is an excellent fly to use in bright sun- 
shine with a strong cold wind blowing. 



28 



]io\u to <5ast t\)e piy. 

Use a light ten foot fly rod, a small cliclu 
trout reel bearing twenty-five yards of Nol 
6 dressed, braided, water proof silk casting 
line, a four foot leader, and a winged trout 
fly on a No. 4 hook. Break the barb off the! 
hook to prevent it catching. Cut away the 
hackle close to the body, it \vi\\ cast easier. 
Joint the rod with the guides exactly in 
line and fix the reel securely in the reel 
seat on the butt. Then thread the end oL 
the casting line through the guides nm 
the rod and out through the ring of the tip. 
Fasten this end with a small knot to one of 
the end loops of the leader. To the other 
end of the leader, attach the fly. 



Select a suitable spot, a stretch of wate: 
if available, or grass plat with forty or fifty" 



I 



29 

feet clear space, front and rear. With a 
handkerchief bind the right arm just above 
the elbow, firmly to the side. 

All action must be made gently and 
methodicially, chiefly by means of the 
wrist, with but little movement of the fore 
arm and without movement of the upper 
arm; any movement of the upper arm 
should be checked. Remember it is knack, 
not force you have to use. The more force 
the beginner uses, the less quickly will he 
attain success. When more advanced, 
long distance casting may be essayed, then 
the upper arm may be used to advantage. 

Place some small object fifteen feet away 
at which to cast, grasp the rod firmly by 
its handle with the ball of the thumb 
pressed against the upper part of the hand 
grasp, pointing toward the tip. The ball of 
the thumb plays an important part. The 
grasp of the hand holds the rod securely; 
the thumb directs its action. Unreel and 
pull through the tip, line half again as 
long as the rod. Hold the fly between the 
finger and thumb of he left hand, with the 
rod at an angle of about 45 degrees in 
front of the caster, with the tip pointing 
slightly to his right. 



no 

Wave the rod gently from right to 
left, at the same time releasing the fly 
This motion places the fly in front of the 
caster, and at his left; when the fly reaches 
that position, bring the tip of the rod to a 
position over and behind the left shoulder 
of the caster. This action should place the 
fly behind and above the caster. Pause a 
moment that the line may straighten out 
behind; then bring the rod forward until it 
reaches about the same position the caster 
began with. The last motion should place 
line and fly extended in front of the caster. 
Before the line thus extended falls to the 
ground, with a sharp twitch of the wrist, 
combined with a slight movement, of the 
fore arm, bring the tip of the rod to a 
position over and back of the right shoul- 
der. This position can be determined by 
the thumb, which should be vertical. Stop 
the rod when the thumb of the caster is 
perpendicular. Do not allow the rod to go 
further back, otherwise the back cast will 
throw the line too low. Observe this rule. 
This is technically known as the "back 
cast." In making it, the tip of the rod 
should not describe an arc, but a straight 
line. This is accomplished by the combined 
action of the fore arm and wrist. It is 



31 

essential that the back cast be properly 
made— Herein lies the secret of successful 
fly casting. First is the preliminary cast 
which extends the line in front of the 
caster, preparatory for the back cast. Sec- 
ond, comes the back cast in which the line 
is extended high in the air, behind the 
caster. Then follows the forward cast by 
which the line is impelled forward. The 
movement of the fly must be such that 
the fly will not at any time fall to the 
ground until the completion of the forward 
cast. 

The thumb having reached the vertical, 
pause a moment, for the line to loose. its 
backward velocity; then the back cast is 
complete. At this instant and before the 
line extended behind begins to fall, bring 
the rod forward to an angle of about 45 
degrees, impelling the line toward the mark 
chosen. This is termed the forward cast. 
Accuracy and delicacy are the essentials of 
the forward cast. In the back cast the tip 
of the rod makes a straight line; in the for- 
ward cast the tip describes an arc. If the 
forward cast is begun before the back 
cast is complete, the fly will snap otf . 

Activity is imparted to the line by the 



32 

spring of the upper part of the rod. A 
slight action of the wrist properly directed 
is suflBcient. 

Practice diligently until the back and 
forward casts can be correctly and accur- 
ately performed. 

In actual fishing, the caster seldom 
has level banks and clear space before and 
behind. Obstacles of all sorts interpose. 
First learn to cast a fly as outlined; after 
wards adapt this accomplishment to the 
environment. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 877 916 1 i 



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